On our second day on Reunion Island, we noticed quite a few helicopters taking tourists on excursions around the island. Given the beautiful location, we thought it would be the perfect occasion to do the same. So, while I was driving, Maryke spent some time looking for a service provider.
After some searching, we lost hope of taking a helicopter flight, since the prices were simply insane—more than our entire trip for a quick tour by air. However, while looking, she came across a supplier offering light airplane tours instead, at prices more within our budget.
We realized it would be our only realistic way to see the island from the air, so we made our booking for the morning of our fifth day on the island. This fit well into our plans, as the airport from where they operated the flights would be on our route at that time.
As the days went by, we grew excited for the tour. When the day arrived and the weather was great, it was just perfect. After some searching at the airport for the hangar, we eventually made it to the correct place. Meeting the pilots, we got a bit of a shock.
When making the booking, we had expected the plane to be a small four-seater, with Maryke and me seated in the back, enjoying the trip around the island together. Instead, we found out our trip would be in two separate two-seater airplanes. After the shock of seeing how small these airplanes were, we agreed that it would be fine and prepared for our flight.
The pilots were very professional, showing us a map of our flight plan over the island, which included some beautiful waterfalls, beaches, and the two volcanoes. After the briefing, they got us ready to board the airplanes, and sooner than we knew it, we were in the air! We took off from Aéroport de Pierrefonds in an easterly direction as we aimed to make an anticlockwise circle over the island.
Our first main attraction was the Cap Blanc valley, thought to be the deepest valley on the island. After we headed over the valley, we started our ascent to the height of the island and, for the first time for us, the Piton de la Fournaise volcano. The crater was absolutely stunning, not only in size but also in the unique beauty it showcased. Our pilots were nice enough to take us as close as possible and make some sharp turns to give us a clear view directly down into the crater through the airplane's large side windows. It was amazing, and definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
As we left the volcano and headed to our next point of interest, the Grand Étang lake, our watches started making a very loud siren-type noise. I looked and saw that it sent out a notice of volcanic activity. Asking the pilot, he explained that this happens sometimes because of the proximity to the volcano.
Continuing on, we passed over the lake, and shortly after, the Cascade du Bras d’Anette waterfalls flowing into the lake. The siren continued going off, and the pilot started talking over the radio trying to find out if there was actually an eruption.
We continued to fly over the Trou de Fer waterfall, and then Piton des Neiges, the highest point on Reunion Island. Cilaos, a town located within the second volcano crater on the island, came into view. By this time, the pilots received confirmation that there had actually been an eruption. I was so glad.
Before our trip, Maryke and I had discussed that we might be able to see a volcanic eruption, since it had been overdue. Never did I think that I would actually be flying over the volcano when it started erupting.
Unfortunately, we didn’t notice the eruption at the time, but we knew we would be headed in that direction the next day to view the volcano.
As our flight concluded, we passed over the so-called "Lagoons" at Les Bains and then made our way back to the airport along the coast.
We touched down, and as soon as Maryke and I were able, we both shared how our devices had gone off because of the volcano. It was an amazing experience to fly over the island, and even more exhilarating to know the volcano had started erupting while we were flying over it.
The experience was not what we expected, but it turned out to be as memorable as we had hoped.
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